Brassiere



Sept. 27, 1949. J. suck 2,4$3,366

BRASSIERE Filed April 24, 1946 ENVENTOR.

/120k G/[ck ATTORN Y Patented Sept. 27, 1949 2,483,366 BRASSIERE Jack Glick, Bronx, N. Y., assignor to The Gluckin Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 24, 1946, Serial No. 664,563

Claims.

This invention relates to brassires, particularly of the long-waisted or long-band type adapted to encircle the body of the wearer below the breasts. More particularly the invention deals with a garment of this kind having means detachable with respect thereto for reinforcing and supporting particularly the breast pocket portions of the garment as well as the band portion adjacent and between the breasts, thereby adapting the garment for firm support of the breasts and body of the wearer without the use of shoulder straps. The novel features of the invention will best be understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view diagrammatically illustrating the garment substantially as worn upon the body of a wearer, but omitting representation of the body, and part of the construction being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the garment, as seen in Fig. 1, showing parts in a partially assembled position and the side portions of the garment broken away.

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 4 is an inside view of the front central portion of a brassire showing a modification.

My present invention deals primarily with what is known as long brassieres, that is to say brassires employing the long-band or waist portions, and still more particularly to garments of this type and kind which can be used without conventional shoulder straps, so as to adapt the garments for use in low-cut evening dresses, or with dresses having relatively low and large neck openings.

Considering Fig. 1 of the drawing, the garment comprises two substantially similar front portions Ill-l0, each formed from a single piece of fabric having a continuous dart and seam along the line II, as seen at the left of Fig. 1. As both side portions l0 and I 0' are of the same construction, the brief description of one will apply to both.

The combination dart and seam is so formed as to divide each part Iii-l0 into an upper pocket or cup portion l2l2' and a lower band portion l3-l3'. The band portions l3-l3' are joined below the cups or pockets l2-l2 in a central strap or band part It, the upper end portion of which is reinforced by an independent strap l5 arranged upon the inner surface of the garment and partly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. This strap takes the strain in the attempt of pull apart separation of the upper cup ends of the garment which are yieldably united, as later described, and further adapted to be tied together.

Attached to the outer sides of the parts l3-l 3 at side seams, one of which is shown at It in Fig. 1 of the drawing are wide side and back band portions il-ll'. The end of the band ll terminates in a flap portion it having a series of vertically spaced hook type fasteners l3, whereas the band ll terminates in a wider flap portion 20, having two series of vertically spaced eyes 2 !-22, thus providing size adjustment of the body encircling band portion upon the body of the wearer, the body encircling band portion of the garment comprises the parts i3-l3', i4, il-i'l and l8-20.

The peripheral edges ofeach cup 52-82, in cluding inner wall portions 23-23 of the parts I3-l3' and the side seams, oneofwhich is shown at 24, are all formed to provide a pocket or channel, as seen for example at 25 in Fig. 3 of the drawing, for the reception of a reinforcing element, later described. The pockets 25 terminate at the side seams of the garment, for example, as at 21 in Fig. 1 of thedrawing, and also terminate where the reinforcing straps l5 join the front parts l3-l3' of'the garment, as indicated for er ample, at 28 in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The pockets 25 have openings, as at 26, adjacent the ends 28 and on inner surfaces of the garment, as will be clearly seen upon a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing. These pockets permit of detachment of the downwardly extending loop ends 29-29 of a reinforcing frame or element 30. The loop ends 29 are joined in a cross head portion 3| arranged substantially in alinement with the openings 28, and on this cross head portion is preferably arranged-a plastic or other sleeve 32. r The sleeve 32 is preferably of a color consistent with the color and fabric of the brassiere so as to present a neat and finished appearance, and to also protect thebody from contacting the wire. 1 r

Extending from the other ends of the loops 29-29 are breast encirclin loops 33-33 which terminate at their ends in relatively straight downwardly directed endportions, one of which is shown at 34 in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The ends of the wire are coiled or looped, as seen at 35, to facilitate free insertion and removal of the ends 34 and breast loop portions 33-33 with re- 3 spect to the pockets 25. This operation is performed by first pulling the loop ends 29-29 out through the openings 26 and then individually threading or slipping each brassiere half from the end portions 33-33, including the end portion 34 and its curled end 35.

The purpose of this detachable mounting is to facilitate laundering of the garment from time to time, and 'in this way, a relatively long life to the brassiere can be maintained. It is also preferred that the edge portion of the pockets l2-l2' and inner adjacent portions of the parts- 13-13' be cushioned by a plush-like bordering strip 36, being indicated in section in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The strip covers the'inner surface of the hemmed edge and part of the outer surface, and forms a cushioning :element for cushioning the pressure of the wire frame upon the body of the wearer.

In some instances, it will be desirable to include one or two tie ribbons upon adjacen'tedges of the pocket portions of the garment, one .set of these tie ribbons being shown at 31 and the other set at 38. The purpose of these ribbons is to draw'the upperbreast pockets of the'garment firmly upon thebody of the wearer. It will also be apparent atthe left side of Fig. 1 of the drawing, that the cushioning material 36-36 extends down to the point defining the terminal end 35 of the frame and also-to the ends 29-29, so that the body is cushioned throughout the full length of the reinforcing frame or element, except with respect to the bridging portion which is covered by the sleeve 32.

It will also appear from a consideration of the drawing that the side bands l1-I1 extend from the lower edge 39 of the garment to a point, as for example, at 40, which is substantially in alinement with the central portion of the pocket. This construction provides a firm support of the pockets or cups upon the body of the wearer and this support is carried downward so that the side and back bands are relatively narrow centrally of theback of the garment, as will appear from a consideration of Fig. 2, at least-they will be of a width, or betterstated a'heig'ht, substantially equivalent to the height of the front band portion M of the garment.

One of the distinctive features of my new brassiere structure resides in the added support of the reinforcing member upon the body of the wearer centrally of the front of the garment to a point below the breasts and at a still lower point at the side seams of the garment, which aids in maintaining the entire garment firmly upon the body of the wearer and, against wrinkling or creasing. In other words, the body encircling portions are maintained in an extended position on the body, particularly as and when the lower edge portion 39 is attached to other garments, as is the custom at times, with garments of the type and kind under consideration.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have showna slight modification, said figure being a rear or inside View of the front lower portion of the garment, showing at Al and 4!, portions similar to the portions l3-l3'. At 42 is shown an elastic strap similar to the strap or band I4. However, a reinforcing strap such as is not employed, as it is intended in the garment shownin Fig. 4 to provide yieldable coupling between the portions ii-4| to compensate forthe spring loop 43 of the wire or similar reinforcing and bracing element 44. The upwardly extending looPlB'is disposed within a tube or sleeve-4'5 of plastic matethe spring loop 43 and the elastic band 42.

The loop 43 provides a yieldable coupling between the parts 4 lt l or the upper cup or pocket portions thereof, parts of which are shown at 58-68. The strap42 compensates for the yielding of the brassiere parts through the medium of the loop 43. Thetie straps, similar to 31 and 38, need not be employed with the structure of Fig. 4, but can 'be employed, if desired, and here it is to be kept in mind that these straps or ribbons can be tucked in under the pocket portions, if use thereof is undesired, or in some instances, may be removed from the garment, if notdes'ired.

'It will appear from a consideration of Fig. 4 of the drawing that openings 49-49 are provided, similar to the openings 26 for insertion and removal of the reinforcing-element E4 in the manner previously set forth in conjunction with the brassire, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be apparent that while the supporting frame or element has been shown in combination with what is generally referred to as along-band or long-waisted brassi'ere, that this frame or element can be built into or detachably mounted with respect to other types and kinds of garments for supporting breast covering parts of the garments firmly upon the body of the wearer. In other words, this supporting frame may in some types and kinds of garments dispense with the need of shoulder straps or similar supporting portions.

It will also be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular shape-or method of constructing the supporting frame 'or element as herein disclosed, nor to the type of material employed in constructing the same. With certain types and kinds of materials, this frame or element may be built into and form a permanent part of the garment and capable of-withstanding the test of exposure to moisture or to otherwise adapt the garment for laundering.

It will also be understood that in different uses of the supporting frame or element, the outer or free end portions thereof may be fashioned or directed in the manner to best support the garment upon the body of the wearer. For example, in the present illustration of my invention, the extension of these ends onto the band portion serve to maintain the band portion in an extended position to prevent wrinkling or creasing thereof.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

.1. A brassire of the class describedcomprising a pair of similar breast supporting pockets, each including downwardly extending band portions, side and back bands seamed to the sideedges of the pockets and band portions and detachably coupled at the back of the brassiere, means joining adjacent band portions of the pockets atthe front of the brassire, each pocket having a channel bordering upper and side portions thereof and extending into the band portions at the .side seams, a one-piece reinforcing element-arranged in and extending the 'full length said channels,

said element comprising a central bridging portion extending between adjacent edges of the pockets and spacing and yieldably coupling said pockets, the channel forming portions of said pockets having openings at adjacent edge portions of the pockets and inwardly of adjacent channel ends, said openings facilitating detachable mounting of said element with respect to said channels, each of said pockets being formed from a single piece of material having a dart and seam arranged in the pocket and band portion thereof, and means cushioning peripheral edges of the pockets and bands throughout the full length of the element arranged therein.

2. A brassire of the class described comprising a pair of similar breast supporting pockets, each including downwardly extending band portions, side and back bands seamed to the outer side edges of the pockets and band portions and detachably coupled at the back of the brassiere, means joining adjacent inner side edges of the band portions of the pockets at the front of the brassiere, each pocket having a channel bordering upper and side portions thereof and extending onto inner and outer side edges of the band portions, a one piece reinforcing element arranged in and extending the full length of said channels, said element comprising a central bridging portion extending between adjacent inner side edges of the band parts of the pockets and spacing and yieldably coupling said pockets, and said element having ends terminating in the band portions of said pockets below said bridging portion.

3. In a garment of the class described, a front portion comprising a pair of pockets and a downwardly extending independent band portion on each pocket, each pocket, including its band portion, having a channel, the channels having openings, inwardly of inner adjacent ends of the channels, means comprising a reinforcing frame having side portions arranged in said channels for supporting upper and side portions of the pockets upon the body of a wearer, said frame having a central bridging portion extending below the pockets and arranged intermediate adjacent edges of the band portions, and ends of the side portions of the frame extending onto the outer side edges of the band portions below said central bridging portion of the frame.

4. In garments of the class described, a supporting and bracing frame, said frame comprising two curved portions joined centrally by an integral bridging member, said curved portions having free substantially straight ends extending well below said bridging member, and adjacent ends of the curved portions joining the bridging member in downwardly extending short loops.

5. A strapless brassire of the character described, comprising two substantially similar front parts comprising breast pockets and band portions, wide side and back bands extending from outer side edges of the first parts and detachably coupled at the back of the brassire, means joining the adjacent inner side edges of the band portions, means forming a channel bordering upper and inner and outer edges of said parts, said channel forming means having openings adjacent and inwardly of adjacent ends of said channels for detachably mounting a reinforcing frame, said frame comprising a pair of loop portions extending the full length of said channels, a yieldable bridge member joining and spacing adjacent loop portions of said frame, and said frame having ends terminating in the band portions of said parts below said pockets and bridge portion.

JACK GLICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

